B29 Build Progress

I've got about 200+ hours into Monogram's execrable B-36 and haven't even begun assembling it yet!  I feel your pain on this bird and wish you all the best.  I sanded off and then re-scribed the panel lines plus spent many hours of lathe and mill work to motorize the props, I don't recommend it.....

                                                                                                                   Pat.

Good to see you back at it....

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Thanks, Shipwreck.  Have had a smoother go this time around.  I am happy to be able to try again.  Been a hectic time around our house, and the modelling is a pleasant diversion!  

Cheers, Bob

Bob, it is good to see you back in action. I trust that you will have a better time of it on this round!

I'm using the Tamiya White Putty, seems to work well for me.  

cheers, Bob

Looking good!  What brand of putty do you use?

Mike

It's starting to look like an airplane again!  Photo below shows the dry fitting (wings not glued on yet) and you can see I am beginning the seam work again.  This is the part I hate...

image by robertholcomb73, on Flickr

image by robertholcomb73, on Flickr

One positive note:  things are going much more smoothly and quicker because of the experience I gained in the last try.  I no longer have to experiment to determine which technique I want to use, or which brand of putty; I have a method of choice now. 

More to follow.  Much more!

cheers, Bob

Ya, one of these days I'll build a tribute of the Kee Bird. Not a kit available so decaling will take some researching. But that's why we do this, right?

Brandonk:  finished watching the video.  I think I am going to be sick...makes my little disaster seem much less important, and much less costly.  What a beautiful airplane they had there.

cheers, Bob

Allen109:  I could do that, but then it wouldn't be my mentor's airplane anymore.  No, I think I am stuck with the NMF, for good or ill.  But thanks for the tip!

cheers, Bob

Iliad Decals makes a set of 1/48 scale decals of olive drab and grey B-29s, with all the guns still installed.

You could nix the nmf scheme.

I could use the practice on repair work, as apparently I will need a lot of it in my career!

Bob, I am sure you made the right decision on your current project. I just want to encourage you to repair and finish your wreck. Actually, every model I make I wreck or mess up somehow and find myself in the repair mode until the thing gets finished. Then I hide it in a dark cabinet! Good luck on this one!

Ya, you will need a tissue. I plan on building a B-29 and the Kee Bird is the one I am going to build. Just before it touched down on the ice.

r13b20:  I am a cold war relic myself!  Served in the Army from 73-93.  

GAF:  Can't be any worse than what happened to mine!

Shipwreck:  Glad you also think it is manageable, and it might be, even with my paltry skill on NMFs.  But I could not take the chance it would turn out badly, and waste precious time I have to complete the project to take it to him.  He is almost 90 as it is.  I was afraid that, if it didn't look good after the repair, I would then not have enough time to start over and deliver it to him on schedule.  So I thought it best to start anew and proceed more rapidly.   I had planned to repair it at my leisure afterwards, and if it turns out to be as manageable as people think, then I'll have my own memento!  BTW, this project is keeping me from completing my own Cutty Sark, on deck.  

cheers, Bob

Bob, after looking at your crashed B-29, I have to agree with ballot, the damage is manageable. From what I see, it is not even broken; just came apart a little. When you finish your new project, I hope that you can return to this bird and build for yourself a real fine B-29 out of it!

You know, watching that video might not be the best inspiration for rebuilding your B-29.  Not to spoil the Nova special, but it doesn't turn out well.   Bummer. 

Gary

" cold war relic" Sounds like me! Bob

Tankerbuilder:  Yes, it is the 1/48th Revell-Monogram bird.  Monster kit.  I didn't understand your question about rust?

Brandonk:  I am looking forward to watching that video!

cheers, Bob

Wow, love that plane and you build. Too bad about wreck, you'll get it right. For those that have an interest in this plane here is a Nova video of one trapped in ice and retrieved.

Is that the Revell - Monogram Bird ?

What Rust ? ?

bvallot:  I am afraid I don't have the same level of confidence in my skill to repair a natural metal finish.  I have begun again on a new model of the B-29 and will see if I can make this finish better by using the lessons learned on the last one.  I'll make an attempt at repair after I complete the new one, just for my own education.

mkelley:  thanks, it was a Significant Emotional Event for me, no doubt.  I'm over it now and moving on.  I appreciate the nice words about the model, and wait till you see the new one!  I think I can improve the finish a bit.

cheers, Bob

That's definitely manageable.  =]  If it happens that you need to sand any of your surface, then just mask off that area one at a time and sand it right...move on...repeat...prime/Gloss Black where necessary...and redo your Alclad.  You can definitely work with that.  The decals will probably have to be reworked I'm sure....but if you did it once....

You got this! =]

It's BAAAACCCCKK! I'm glad you are "up" again. Enjoying your attitude and work. Bob :)

Shipwreck:  I guess it is part of the grieving process...see below.

image by robertholcomb73, on Flickr

The above shot shows the fatal crack down the centerline seam of the aircraft.

And another shot:

image by robertholcomb73, on Flickr

This shot shows the formerly beautiful decals on the side showing their three purple hearts and three Jap kills.  Fortunately I made multiple copies of the decal sheet so I have them available to use again.

And just to show I am moving on, here is the latest progress:

image by robertholcomb73, on Flickr

I was able to repurpose the original instrument panels and pilots seats.  I also refrained from putting in components that can't be seen this time around.  It makes the progress faster.

The two sides of the aircraft:

image by robertholcomb73, on Flickr

I won't open the bomb bays this time since they can't be seen when it is o=mounted anyway.  So that helps as well.

Today I dipped all the clear components in Future and finished all the detail work on the inside.  Next is to mount all the interior components and glue the fuselage halves together.  I hope to have less seam work this time, or at least to do it smarter!

cheers, Bob

Bob, you have posted a lot of photos in the past; how about you post a damage shot?

Bob,

   Don't let it stop you. Continue with another Monogram B-29. You've learned too much to NOT complete a 1/48 B-29. Don't let it get you down. Your next B-29 will be that much better!

Sorry to hear about that.

I've been in this position before.  When I've decided to do what you're doing...buy a new kit but reuse some parts from the old kit...I end up doing the kit way better the second time around.  I learn from the mistakes I made on the first one and correct them on the second one.